challange coin display case

[gordonmt]

My son is an Air Force officer and I would like to make him a challenge coin display case for Christmas. For those who don't know what a challenge coin is, I have copied a short description.

In World War I, a rich lieutenant had custom challenge coins minted for all those in his unit as a symbol of loyalty. Narrowly escaping the Germans, one pilot in this unit produced his challenge coin to French soldiers and had his life spared. That inspired the others in this pilot's unit to always carry their challenge coins.

I have also attached picture of what a good dispaly might look like.
Has anyone made one of these or even own one that I might get some dimensions off of? It looks like the coins are sitting in a slot on the top of each cross member.
Right now i'm starting with a coin, some wood, and darn few ideas. Any ideas out there would be appreciated.

Mark

[timf67]

Are they all the same diameter? If so, you could alway go the route of drilling a "hole" for them like this:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...at=1,180,42240

[PurpleThumb]

Originally Posted by gordonmt

My son is an Air Force officer and I would like to make him a challenge coin display case for Christmas. For those who don't know what a challenge coin is, I have copied a short description.

In World War I, a rich lieutenant had custom challenge coins minted for all those in his unit as a symbol of loyalty. Narrowly escaping the Germans, one pilot in this unit produced his challenge coin to French soldiers and had his life spared. That inspired the others in this pilot's unit to always carry their challenge coins.

I have also attached picture of what a good dispaly might look like.
Has anyone made one of these or even own one that I might get some dimensions off of? It looks like the coins are sitting in a slot on the top of each cross member.
Right now i'm starting with a coin, some wood, and darn few ideas. Any ideas out there would be appreciated.

Mark

I always knew those French were shooting our guys

[janderso]

I've not made one, but I've seen plenty...

And not all the coins are the same size, but 1.5" to 2" is a good average for the coins.

The cases I've seen had a groove cut at about a 75-60 degree angle so that the coins lean back a little.

Most of my coins are about 1/8th of an inch in thickness, but I have one that is almost 3/8ths thick.

I don't have allot of coins (I'm only an LT), but I've seen plenty! let me know if you need any other info.

[christopheralan]

I have made a few of those. Each coin can be different diameters, thickness, and seniority (a General's coin is above a school coin). It helps to have the coins, but he will get more coins as time goes on, which can be a problem for the design. It looks goofy to have a big shelf for 3 coins. Find out how many he has and make it accordingly. I think it is kinda cool to have a coin case for every duty station or term of enlistment. Good luck.